Hopefield Wind Farm in South Africa successfully achieved its Commercial Operation Date (COD). Mott MacDonald acted as owner’s engineer on behalf of the Cape Town-based owner and developer, Umoya Energy. The project was the first wind farm in the country to reach COD under the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

Located on farm land within the Saldanha Bay municipality in the Western Cape province, the 66MW wind farm consists of 37 x1.8MW wind turbines and will generate enough electricity to power approximately 70,000 low-income homes or 29,000 medium-income homes in South Africa.

Jason Rowan, manager of Mott MacDonald’s power business in South Africa, commented: "We are delighted to have played a significant role as owner’s engineer on this historic milestone project, which was completed on time and budget. This is another successfully delivered wind farm that adds to our substantial track record in the renewable energy sector.”

Mott MacDonald has been delivering engineering services to the renewables industry in South Africa since 2009 and has steadily increased its South African based team of renewables engineers in response to market demand. The company’s global power expertise includes working worldwide for owners, developers and contractors, as well as regulators and funders.